Electrochemical Synthesis of a WO3/MoSx Heterostructured Bifunctional Catalyst for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Photo-/electrochemical water splitting can be a suitable method to produce “green” hydrogen and oxygen by utilizing renewable energy or even direct sunlight. In order carry out photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting, photoanode based on transition metal oxides, which absorbs photons produces photoexcited electron–hole pairs, is needed. The positively charged holes then participate in the oxidation reaction. Meanwhile, cathodic evolution reaction (HER) occur more efficiently with electrocatalytic materials that enhance adsorption of H+, such as MoS2. this study, it was shown WO3/MoSx heterostructured synthesized an electrochemical called plasma electrolytic (PEO). During process, many micro-breakdowns oxide layer occur, causing ionization electrolyte. ionized mixture cools solidifies, resulting crystalline WO3 incorporated MoSx. surface cross-sectional morphology were characterized SEM-FIB, coatings could reach up 3.48 μm thickness. Inclusion MoSx confirmed EDX well XPS. Synthesis conditions found have influence band gap, lowest value being 2.38 eV. Scanning microscopy used map local HER activity correlate hotspots MoSx’s content topography. bifunctional catalyst heterostructure evaluated for PEC water-splitting activities. As photoanode, 6% photon conversion efficiency. For acidic media, Tafel slope 42.6 mV·dec−1 reached.